Rumors around the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s potential retirement continue to circle…
Aged 38, it’s fair to say that Djokovic has entered the twilight of his tennis career.
When playing against his two younger rivals, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Djokovic looks a step behind, but that didn’t stop him from finishing the year ranked inside the top five.
The 2025 year-end number four won two titles this season (Geneva Open and Hellenic Championship) and qualified for the semifinals of all four Grand Slams.
Djokovic looked far from done in 2025, but that hasn’t stopped fans and pundits from discussing when he may retire.
Weighing in with his thoughts, 1997 US Open finalist Greg Rusedski told ‘Tennis365‘ when he thinks Djokovic should retire.
Greg Rusedski says Novak Djokovic should retire when he stops enjoying tennis
The former British number one suggested that Djokovic will know when it’s time to stop.
“You know it’s time to retire when you are not enjoying it anymore,” said Rusedski.
He then shared whether he believes the Serb can still compete with Alcaraz and Sinner at Grand Slams.
“Can he beat Alcaraz and Sinner in three out of five sets back to back? Possibly not,” said Rusedski.
“Maybe at Wimbledon, but if he is still enjoying the challenge, why not try and stay out there?
“What I will never do is write off a great champion.
“I’ve done that in the past, and it didn’t work out well for me.”
After winning three of the four Grand Slams in 2023, Djokovic hasn’t added to his major tally since, and has only qualified for one final.
Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam troubles
| Grand Slam | Round lost in | Opponent | Score |
| 2024 Australian Open | SF | Jannik Sinner | 1-6, 2-6, 7-6, 3-6 |
| 2024 French Open | QF | W/O | W/O |
| 2024 Wimbledon | F | Novak Djokovic | 2-6, 2-6, 6-7 |
| 2024 US Open | 3R | Alexei Popyrin | 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6 |
| 2025 Australian Open | SF | Alexander Zverev | 6-7 (RET) |
| 2025 French Open | SF | Jannik Sinner | 4-6, 5-7, 6-7 |
| 2025 Wimbledon | SF | Jannik Sinner | 3-6, 3-6, 4-6 |
| 2025 US Open | SF | Carlos Alcaraz | 4-6, 6-7, 2-6 |
The Serb’s search for Grand Slam number 25 has been unsuccessful so far, but that’s not the only thing on his mind…
Djokovic has made it abundantly clear that he wants to represent his country at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Novak Djokovic’s 2028 Olympics plan
If he were to compete in his sixth Olympic Games, he’d do so as a 40-year-old.
Djokovic is already the oldest champion in Olympic tennis history, breaking the record at the Paris Games last year.
It would be some ask for Djokovic to repeat the feat in 2028, but that’s not to say he won’t make an appearance.
Do you think Novak Djokovic will play at the 2028 LA Olympics?
Only time will tell if Djokovic will make the trip to the United States for the 2028 Olympic Games, which begin on Friday, July 14, 2028.
Who is the oldest player in the ATP top 100?
Djokovic’s age has been discussed at length this year, but is he the oldest player among the world’s elite?
The answer is no. As Djokovic is actually the second-oldest player ranked inside the top 100, behind the showman Gael Monfils.
Players older than 35 in the ATP top 100
| ATP Rank | Name | Country | Age |
| 4 | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | 38 |
| 68 | Gael Monfils | France | 39 |
| 69 | Adrian Mannarino | France | 37 |
| 75 | Marin Cilic | Croatia | 37 |
| 84 | Jan-Lennard Struff | Germany | 35 |
| 92 | Roberto Bautista Agut | Spain | 37 |
39-year-old Monfils has already announced that 2026 will be his final year on the ATP Tour.
Whether Djokovic will follow suit remains to be seen…
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